Fans of Broadway musical composers Rogers and Hammerstein will have
a unique opportunity to celebrate the Valentine week with a loved one.
The Music Department at Oklahoma Christian University will host its
21st Valentine Cabaret dinner theatre Feb. 11-13. The catered,
candle-lit dinner and musical revue, titled An Enchanted Evening With
Rogers and Hammerstein, features 30 classic songs from 11 famous
musicals.

According to Ken Adams, professor of music, the performance presents
a multifaceted look at songs composed over the decades by the legendary
team.

"We have knit together a unique group of songs,” Adams said. "This
is a great advantage for the audience because no where else will you
have so many Rogers and Hammerstein classics in one production. Plus,
we’ve included a few of their songs that are not as well known.”

Selections will be sung from musicals such as "Oklahoma!,”
"Carousel,” "South Pacific,” "The King & I” and "The Sound of
Music.” Some of the songs to be performed include "Something
Wonderful,” "There is Nothing Like a Dame,” "Younger than Springtime,”
"I Have Dreamed,” "All ‘Er Nothin’” and "Some Enchanted Evening.”

Chad Anderson is directing the cabaret. He is active in the Oklahoma
City musical scene, having performed in the Oklahoma City
Philharmonic’s Yuletide Magic production. He holds a master of
performing arts degree from Oklahoma City University, and he is also
working on his master of fine arts degree in theater from OU.

"Chad is as much a singer as he is a director,” Adams said. "His focus in graduate school was opera performance.”

According to Anderson, the students have really responded to his direction because they know he has been in their shoes before.

"While the students in this show are some of our best performers,
they keep growing and continually impress me with their talent,”
Anderson said. "I’m certain that energy will translate to the audience
as well.”

The piano accompanist for the Valentine Cabaret is also an
accomplished Oklahoma City musician. Eric Grigg has performed for Lyric
Theatre productions and many recent Oklahoma Christian homecoming
musicals. Like Anderson, Grigg has also performed in the Oklahoma City
Philharmonic’s Yuletide Magic production.

The Valentine Cabaret is choreographed by Barbara Berard.

"She has done an excellent job with this production,” Anderson said.

According to Adams, tickets to the Cabaret sell quickly.

"Our performance hall is a beautiful, intricate setting that seats less than 200 people,” he said. "So, it often sells out.”

Much of that can be attributed to the annual event’s reputation as an entertaining and affordable Valentine week option.

"We always have a great response simply because Where else can you
get a fully served dinner and performance for $17 a person,” Adams
said. "You’ll pay more at a sit down restaurant, and yet more if you go
to a movie afterward. We feel the cabaret is a great value.”

The Cabaret runs Feb. 11-13. Those who do not want to purchase the
dinner can attend the show alone for $7. The cost for dinner and the
show is $17 per person, but tickets must be purchased at least a day
before the performance. The dinner will be served in the Macintosh
Conservatory at Oklahoma Christian, which is adjacent to the Recital
Hall.

The menu for the event will be a tossed green salad with dressing,
London broil steak, whole new potatoes with parsley butter, grilled
fresh vegetables, chocolate and raspberry swirl cheesecake, tea, coffee
and water.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 425-5530 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by calling 425-5540 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.